Coin control for bowling alleys



May 24, 1938. 1.. F. HEHN COIN CONTROL FOR BOWLING ALLEYS 6 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed April 9, 1934 May 24, 1938. HEHN 2,118,303

COIN CONTROL FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed April 9, 1934 6 Sheets-Shet 2 May24, 1938. I L. F. HEHN 2,118,303

- COIN CONTROL FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed April 9, 19:54 '6 Sheets-Sheet 54 TTaE/yEJ May '24, 1938. I F. HEHN 1 2,118,303

' cow CONTROL FOR BOWLING ALLIEYS Filed April 9, 1934' Y s Sheets-Sheet4 L. F. HEHN 2118303 COIN CONTROL FORBOWLING ALLEYS Filed April 9, 19346 Sheets-Sheet 5 //w//vm/? 1 ATTORNEY May 24, 1938.

May 24, 1938. vL. F. HEHN 2,118,303

' 'CQIN CONTROL FOR BOWLING ALIIJEYS Filed April 9, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet6 54 1Q 10. I 27614 J4 L I i 1.04/49 l-T HEHN //v l/EN TH.

"ATTORNEY Patented May 24, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2.118.303-'COIN CONTROL FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Louis F. Helm, Chicago, 111., 'assignorof one-half 18 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved coin.- operated controlfor-bowling alleys and has for one of its principal objects, theprovisionof a device whereby play on a bowling alley will be permittedupon the insertion of a coin into such an apparatus connected with thealley, and whereby play will be automatically indicated as terminatedafter the bowler has completed the usual 'ten frames regardless oi thenumber of balls thrown by the bowler.

One of the important objects of this'invention is to provide acoin-controlled attachment for bowling alleys which will enable anynumber of players from one to five inclusiveto bowl on an alley inregular rotation or otherwise, this'play being permitted by theinsertion of a required number of coins into the device corresponding tothenumber of players desiring to participate.

Another important object of the invention resides in the provision ofmeans, in an automatic coin control for bowling alleys, whereby playwill be automatically indicated as stopped after all the players havecompleted their allotted ten frames regardless of the number of ballsused, 25 this depending upon the number of strikes, spares and otherscores made.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an automatic coincontrol for bowling alleys whereby the players will be automaticallynotified when the alley is ready for action and will also beautomatically notified after play is terminated according to the rules.

Another and still further important object of the invention resides'inthe provision of a. coin control attachment for bowling alleys which maybe used with equally good results on alleys where pin boys are employedand also on alleys where the setting of the pins and the return of theballs is automatic or semi-automatic. The device wili operate equally aswell with bowling alleys employing what is known as tethered pins andalso the ordinary ten pins, duck-pins or the like, re gardless of size.v

The apparatus may also be employed with 5 miniature bowling alleys andwith slight adaptations may be used with other games and for other p mqOther and further important objects of this invention will be apparentfrom the accompanying 50 drawings and following specification.

The invention, in a preferred form, is hereinafter more fully described.

, In the drawings: v i V Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improvedcoin control for bowling alleys of this invention.

til

Michael '1. Lane, Chicago, Ill. 1

Application April 9, 1934, Serial No. 719,688'

Figure 2 is a right-hand end view of the same'. Figure 3 is a left-handend view. Figure 4 is a top view of the device.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of certain portions ofthe coin controlshown in Figure 4.-

Figure 6 is a detail view of a portion of the coin control shown inanother position from that illustrated in Figure 4. 1

' Figure 7 is a detail view of a portion of the regulating releasemechanism for the control wheel.

Figure 8 is' a detail endview of this control mechanism.

. Figure 9 is a detail view of a locking device for the controlmechanism, showing the same in its v relationship to the control wheel.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the wiring connections.

Figure v11 is a detail view of a',means for preventing rebound of thecontrol wheels.

Figure 12 is a partial view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, butillustrating the control wheel and its appurtenances in a diflerentPOSI- tion.

Figure 13 is a side elevation in more detail of a portion of theapparatus shown in Figure. 2 illustrating more particularly the releasemechanism for the control wheel. 1

Figure 14 is a bottom view of this release mechanism, also showing partof Y the control wheel and some of its appiu'tenancesv Figure 15 is adetail side view of the coin control mechanism somewhat similar to thatshown in Figure 1, but illustrating the same in the position of Figure6.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral 60 indicates generally 'the supporting plate forthe improved coin control apparatus of this invention, the same having apin i2 positioned centrally thereof and pro- 40 jecting forwardlytherefrom as best shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4. 1

Upon this pin 52 is rotatably mounted a control wheel E4, the same beingprovided with teeth l6 extending around its periphery, the teeth I6being one hundred and five in number, and thereby making provision forthe playing of a maximum number of twenty-one balls each by a number ofplayers ranging from one to five inelusive.

The toothed wheel :4 is adapted to be rotated about the shaft [2 in acounter-clockwise direction when viewed as shown in Figure 1 by means ora pawl i8,-which pawl is operated by means of a relay 2!, this relaybeing set into operation by M means of electrical contact elements inthe ball return way and which contacts are closed wheni ever a ball isreturned to thebowler via the runway.

There are two of these contacts in the runway, one being'indicated at 22in Figure 10 and the other at it.

Were each player to use a predetermined number of balls in bowlingagainst ten frames, the problem of automatic coin control would be quitesimple, but on account of the rules of bowling and also on account ofthe various possibilities of play, thenumber of balls used by a playerin bowling against ten frames may vary from a minimum of twelve to amaximum of twenty-one.

In the game of duck pins, as sometimes played, the maximum number ofballs rolled may be thirty, and the machine .of this invention can bereadily made to handle this contingency.

In order to accommodate the control means to these variousexigencies, asupplementary control element comprising a sectional gear 23, (Figure 1)is also rotatably and independently mount-- ed on the shaft i2 adjacentthe main control wheel is and having a diametrically opposite extensionit which is for the purpose of preliminarily setting the device toaccommodate any desired number of players from one to five inclusive.

The segmental gear 26 is provided with fifteen peripheral teeth 3d ofthe same size as the teeth it on the main control wheel M, and thissegmental gear is moved in a counter-clockwise direction atpredetermined times along with the main control wheel it by means of apusher pin 32 positioned on the main control wheel and which,at'predetermined times, contacts a combined pushing and locking elementtt pivotally mounted on thesectional gear 2t. 7

This combined pushing and locking element 36 ispivotally mounted at aton the segmental gear 2% and includes an inwardly turned hook element 38into which the pin 32 rides when approaching the segmental gear 28. Theplate at with its hook 3B is normally held in a. retracted position toreceive the pin at by means of a spring till, and as soon as the pin 32contacts the hook 88, it moves the plate 34% about the pivot point 8tagainst the tension of the spring to until such time as the plate at canmove no further inasmuch-as the oven-hanging edge of the hook 38 hascontacted theedge of the segment 26. When this occurs, a

, spring-impelled latch it pivotally mounted on the under-iaceof thesegment 26 fits under a corresponding extension of the plate 8%,(Figures 1 and 9) thereby locking the plate M in this position andpreventing the pin 32 from moving out of the hook 38. This action locksthe segment 26 to the main wheel iii and causes them to move togetherfrom that time on.

A pawl M is also provided adapted to ride in the teeth 30 of thesegmental gear 26 whereby undesirable retroactive movement of both thewheel It and the segment 36 is prevented until such time as this pawl isreleased.

After the segment 26 has been thus locked into position to move alongwith the main wheel it, further operation of the pawl i8 causes boththese elements to move along together until such time as an outwardlyturned extension M8 on the end of the lever 62 contacts a stop H9(Figure l), whereupon the latch 42 is again moved to the dotted lineposition shown in Figure 1, releasing the correspondingly in-turnedlocking end of the aliases clockwise movement or the entire mechanismand correspondingly indicates the end of play, after which the insertionof additional coins into the device is necessary before play can beresumed.

At about the same time that the pin 32 is entering the hook 38, anotherpin I36 on the main control wheel M is riding over the cammed face of anelement ltd (Figure 9), which element is pivotally mounted at I31 to therear face of the segment 25. This cam action pushes a hook element I38on the further end of the lever I36 upwardly, allowinga locking pin itswhich is fastened on the element M to ride out from under the hook E38,accordingly permitting movement of the end of the latch t2 into the fullline position shown in Figure 1, thereby allowing the lockingrelationship between the'segment 26 and the control wheel it heretoforedescribed.

While the control wheel I is being moved in a counter-clockwisedirection by the action of the pawl it, it operates to tension a helicalspring 65 (Figures 3 and 4) connected therewith and with the plate itand positioned about the shaft i2, and the tension of this springthereupon acts to return the control wheel to its normal originalposition upon release of a locking pawl t8 (Figures 2, 8, and 9) whichacts against the control wheel i i in a manner similar to the action ofthe pawl iii! against the segmental gear 26.

These two pawls it and it are both pivotally mounted on a carriage 5%which carriageincludes a pair of sleeves 52 slidably mounted on shafts Mand spring-pressed into normal retracted position by means of a spring56.

Also mounted on the carriage fill-E2 is a pinion 68 which goes into meshwith the teeth on the segment 2% when the carriage, Bil-52 is pushed tothe left as shown in Figure 2, which movement at the same time releasesthe pawls 4i and i8 from contactwith their respective toothed wheelsrearwardly. extending pin 80 which operates against a stop 82 which stopis so positioned with regard to the pinion 68 that the same is allowed amaximum rotation of only three teeth upon being meshed with the teeth ofthe segmental gear 26 after the substantially simultaneous release ofthe pawls M and 68 contingent upon the outward shifting movement of thecarriage Et-M. The pinion 58 with its pin 60 is normally retractedagainst a stop 83 by a spring 65 on the shaft 59.

'I'his outward shifting movement of the carriage 50-52 is, accomplishedby means of an offset bell crank lever 67-69 pivoted at 64 (Figure 2)and which is pivotally connected adjacent its forward end to a link 66,this link, in turn, being pivotally mounted on the upper end of thearmature 68 of a control magnet or relay I0.

This relay ill is directly connected to the coincontrol and is operatedevery time an individual coin is inserted intoa coin opening H and theoperating lever i2 pushed inwardly. (Figures 4 and 6.) v

The coin-control mechanism includes, besides the opening ii in the slideI2, a pivoted guard it (Figure 2) which is for the double purpose ofpreventing operation without a coin and also to prevent operation of thedevice by means of metal washers. This ,pivoted guard l5 drops into theopening H upon inward motion of the slide 12 in the event that there isno coin in the plate M. This marks the end of the counter-'- "opening orif the same contains a washer having 10 i coin is forcibly pusheddownwardly by means of such time as the slot with the contained coincomes directly over a corresponding. opening I! in the plate beneath theslide 12 whereby the a spring-pressed finger 19 which is released forthis purpose by reason of the fact thata support 2| which forms anextensionof a pivoted plate 23 from contact with a spring-pressed latch33 (Figure 1), which latch 33 then rides inwardly into operative contactwith a coin shelf 35, (Figure 2) which coin shelf has been depressed bythe action of the finger l9 pushingagainst a coin thereon, and the latch33 operates to hold this shelf in such depressed position until theslide 12 has had an opportunity to be returned to normal outwardposition by action of its spring 31.

In order to allow sufllcient time for operation of the various partsbetween successive insertions of coins, a speed governing mechanism isattached to the slide 12, (Figure this being in the form of a rack 13fixed on the slide, which rack is in mesh with a pinion on a gear 14,the gear, in turn, driving a speed governor 15 of any approved orconventional design. The liberated coin drops into a chute H.

Depression of the coin shelf 35 also operates a cam 39 which is integraltherewith (Figure 2) which cam acts to accordingly close the contactsofan electric switch. This switch is also shown in Figure as connected tothe magnet 10. Therefore, each time a coin is placed in the device andthe slide 12 operated, the magnet 10 is electrically-connected to asource of current, and this, through the [bell-crank lever 61-69, movesthe carriage 50 outwardly, allowing the segment 26 to shift clockwisefor a distance corresponding to three of its teeth. Aspring 43 is 5052is shifted to the left. The control wheel i4 is provided on its rearface with five pins 45 held in position by means of nuts 41 andspacedequi distantly apart, the space between each of the pins correspondingto twenty-one of the teeth [6. The wheel [4 being, therefore, free tomove, it is rotated in a clockwise direction by means of the tension ofits spring 46, and this motion continues until one of the pins 45contacts a receiving slot formed in a stop element 49 mounted on thecarriage 50 as best shown in Figure 8, the

carriage 50 being then in its forward position.

This stop element is pivotally mounted on the carriage Bil at El and isheld in position to receive any one of the pins 45 by means of a spring53 and a stop pin 55 which operates against an extension of the element49. A cushion 51 is 'iixed in a holder on the carriage 50 so as toeliminate undue noise in this operation.

A latch I8 is pivotally mounted on a bracket I45 which bracket is fixedon the plate I 0, and this latch 16 is mounted adjacent the cammed lowerend of the pivoted locking element 49 for the main control wheel I4(Figure 11). The lower and of the latch '85 is also cammed so as toreadily ride over the correspondingly curved face of the lower end ofthe element l9,'this occurring whenever one of the looking pins 4,5 onthe control wheel [4 fits into the slotted upper end of the element 49and tiltsit about its pivot 5| into position with the bumper 51. (Figure'8.) The latch iii-then assumes the position shown in Figwe 11, lookingthe element 43 in position against the bumper or stop 51 and retainingthe pin 45 between the two extensions i 46 and I41 on the element 49.This prevents either backward or forward movement of the wheel (4 untilsuch time as the carriage 50-4 is released by the de-energizing of themagnet 10, whereupon the element 49 moves rearwardly out of engagementwith the pin 45, and also out of engagement with the latch 16, therebyallowing this element 49- to resume its normal position as indicated inFigure 8, and permitting a further movement either backward or forwardof the wheel H, depending upon whether play is begun or whether stillanother coin is inserted into the device to provide for an additionalplayer.

It will thus be seen that the control wheel I is allowed to move in aclockwise direction for a space of twenty-one teethevery time a coin isinserted in the mechanism, and at the same time, the segment 26 isallowed to move in a clockwise direction for a space of three teeth.Obviously, if five coins are inserted, the wheel l4 makes a completerevolution and the segment it moves the entire limit of its possibleshifting motion of fifteen teeth, and if any intermediate number ofcoins is inserted, a correspondingly intermediate movement takes place.While the segment 25 is thus moving clockwise, its complimentary ment 28with five large teeth 'i'l thereon (Figure l) is moving with it, and-theteeth ii will, in turn, ride over a pivoted cam 18 mounted on a bracketI9 which is, in turn, pivoted at 86 on supports 8| on the main plate l0.(Figure 3.) The relationship of the teeth "IT and the cam 'IB is suchthat no positive action of any associated parts takes place at thistime.

0n the return movement of the segment 28, however, the cam 18, beingallowed to pivot. in only one direction on account of encountering astop 82 (Figure l), necessarily rides under the inclined faces of theteeth 11, and its pivoted supporting bracket, together with theassociated stop 82, is pushed outwardly, thereby making a contactbetween two points 83 of a'spring switch 84 (Figures 1 and 3). Thebracket I9 is held in normal position by means of a spring 85.

Also, when the bracket 19 is being moved rearwardly by the action of theteeth 11 in their counter-clockwise movement, this bracket contacts apivoted arm 86 which, in turn, forms .part of a lever 81, the leverbeing pivotallyi' mounted on a .post 88 fixed on the plate M (Fig- IThis lever $1 has a bent-over inner end on which the arm 85 is pivotallymounted by means of a screw or the like ti, and a spring @2 tends toforce the arm 86 into close relationship with the bracket 19 at alltimes. Obviously, an outward movement of the bracket 19 turns the arm 86about its pivot point M, thereupon allowing the spring 89 to move theupper end of the lever 81 inwardly about its pivot 88. If, as shown inFigure 1, the switch contact spring 93 is in lifted position on accountof a projection as .of an armature Q5 contacting therewith, theinsulating end 96 of the lever 31 will ride under the spring switchelement 53, and accordingly keep it away from a corresponding switchcontact element 91. If, however, the arm 95 is in downward position onaccount-of the energizing of the magnet 98, which takes place when anypin is standing, the end of the arm 8'3 will simply abut against theup-turned end of the switch spring 93 which thereby prevents any furtherinward movement of this arm and the switch t3-tl thereupon remainsclosed.

This magnet 98 is in circuit with a. series of ten contact elementsmounted in the spots upon which the bowling pins are positioned on thebowling alley and which series of contacts is indicated at 99 in Figure10. When any or all the pins are in position, current is delivered tothe magnet 98 which accordingly draws its arm 95 downwardly whereuponany action of the arm 81-96 to hold open the switch contact 93-9115prevented.

'The magnet H5 is operated only when the players are bowling againsttheir last frame or frames, and if a player makes a strike on this lastframe, the pins, being all knocked down, circuit to the magnet 98 isbroken and the armature 95 is raised, opening the'switch 93--l. If theplayer makes a spare, this same action takes place on his second ball. i

Therefore, when the switch 93-91 is open, the end 96 of the arm 87 isallowed to ride under the element 93, thereby holding this switch open,permitting play of one more ball. This is ac-' complished because theswitch 83-91 is in the same circuit as the second ball contact element2d which otherwise would operate the pawl it moving the wheel M up afinal notch and thereby opening the switch I2I-I22 and shutting off thep ay.

As best shown in Figure l, the pawl I8 which is operated by means of themagnet 20 shifts the feed wheel It in a counter-clockwise directionthrough a distance equal to the extent of one of its teeth every time anelectrical current is caused to flow through the magnet 20, this beingaccomplished whenever a ball is returned to the bowler, inasmuch as thebail runs over a switch contact element 22 positioned in the runway.Aseconcl contact switch element 2 4 is also positioned in the runwaybut, at any time before the last frame, does not operate the magnet 21]unless the switch 99 is open which means that all of the pins have beenknocked down by one ball. In this event, the'pawl i8 is given twoimpulses, and the wheel It is accordingly moved through a distance oftwo of its teeth. The two switches 22 and 26 can be reversed, dependingvupon the original positioning of a switch I08.

The pawl It operates against a stop I00 adapted to prevent over-throw,and the link ml, by means of which this pawl is operated, is connectedby means of a link I02 to a device which alternately opens and closes aswitch ass. This alternate switch I53 is either definitely open orclosed immediately after the insertion of acoin into the device, theopen positioning being accomplished byreason of the end Mil of the arm-81 (Figure 2) pushing the end of a trip MI downwardly,-in the eventthat this trip is in an upper position at that time, thereby preparingin advance for the contingency ofthe player making what is called astrike on the first ball.

If it is desired that this switch be preliminarily in closed position,this can be accomplished by an according regulation of the trip elementMI and its associated parts together with a reversal of therelativeposition of the switches 22 and 24 in the return gulley, all asexplained above.

In addition to having the magnet 98 in the pin circuit, a magnet I I2 isalso in this circuit'and its armature M2 is in downward position whenany pin is standing. This position opens a switch lit-lid which isnormally closed (Figure 10), when no pins are standing. The switch IIt-I It is on the same line as the switch I03 and also in this circuitis a switch construction Its-I27 (Figure 1) mounted on the segment Mi.when all three of these switches are closed, a ball passing over thesecond contact 24 in the returnway will again actuate the magnet, as thecontact 26 is also in this circuit. This is the reason for thealternately operating switch M3, as it is not desired to have thecontact 24 operate the pawl It if a second ball is used. on any frame.

If, however, the player does not succeed in knocking down all the pins,the pawl I8 is operated only once by the first ball rolling over thefirst contact 22, and this pawl I8, through its associated links IQI andI02, pulls the switch closing element I06 around its pivot point I05,thereby closing the switch I03. At the same time, a pivoted arm I06 hasits inner end moved downwardly by the action of the link I02 and theouter end Ml of this arm thereupon contacts the lowermost element of theswitch I03 and holds the switch in closed position. At the nextoperation of the magnetfili, the link I02, again moving downwardly,carries the finger cam i0! along with it, the end of which finger camoperates in a slot formed in the end of ,a pawl I08 which pawl ispivotally mounted on the end of the element MI, the rear end of whichisformed with a notch vIIB into which a pin fixed on the rar face of theelement I06 fits when the-inner end of the element M8 and the inner endof the element I98 are both in lowermost position.

The finger Ifl'l operates to contact the end of the element I06 and pushthe same downjwardly upon each alternating movement of the finger, thisdownward pushing operation being prevented upon every other alternatemovement oi the linger on account of its having ridden onto the slot inthe end of the pawl I08, and its downward movement out of this notchitself is such that it.rides overthe face of the element I08 rather thancontact the edge thereof.

When the player is nearing the end of his game, and is bowlingagainst-the last frame with his second ball, the switch 03 is closed,and currentfirst ball in the last frame, he is entitled to roll a secondball in any event. If he then makes a 75 spare, he is entitled to athird ball. But, ii. he

makes neither a spare nor a strike on his last V frame,the operator ofthe magnet II5 automatiswitches just described will automatically takecare of any such contingency of play.

After all the balls have been ,rolled, and depending upon the nature ofthe game played, the segment 26 will have been returned to its normalposition by the action of the wheel I6 carrying the same along with itin its rotation after the pin 32 contacts the stop 38 and the deviceshall then have reassumed the position shown in Figure 1 wherein thesegment 26 contacts the end of a link I20 which is mounted on oneelement I 2I of a switch I2'I-I22 (Figure 4) which switch is thenopened, shutting ofi the entire device and a signal light I23 which waslighted when the operation was instituted upon the insertion of thefirst coin.

If the bowling alley is of the sort known as automatic or semi-automaticwhich are operated by means of a motor, such a motor may be insertedinto the circuit as shown at I24, and this, of course, is alsoautomatically started .and stopped in conjunction with the signal lightI23. At the same time that the pin 32 contacts the stop 38 (Figures 1and 12) and begins to put the segment 26 into motion, an insulatedbreaker element I25 separates thecontact. elements I26 and I21 of theswitch which is mounted on the segment in the form of the two arcuatemetal bands I28 and I29, and with which there are always in contact twocorresponding metal arms I30 and I3I respectively. The opening of thisswitch breaks the circuit to the second contact 24 in the returnway,eliminating this circuit when the players start in the last frames. Atthis time, the circuits associated with the magnets 98 and H5 are putinto operation.

Referring to Figure '10, it will be'seen that when the shelf 35-isdepressed, following the insertion of a coin into the mechanism I2, anelectrical connection is made between the switch points 4 I therebyenergizing the magnet I0, this magnet being connected directly into themain power line I50, as shown, bymeans of wires I5I and I52.Energization' of the magnet I operates the lever 61, shifting thecarriage 50, whereby the main control wheel I4 is released and allowedto move in a': clockwise direction for a distance of 21 teeth, aspreviously described. Insertion of another coin allows a furthermovement of the main wheel I4 for a distance of another 21 teeth, andupon each of these operations, the segment 26 with its. opposed attachedsegment 28, is correspondingly moved in a clockwisedirection through.

a distance equal to one of the teeth I! the coin I8 fitting into acorresponding notch upon each such movement. Y

The initial clockwise movement of the when I4 and the correspondingmotion of the projection I20 thereon, effects a closing of the mainswitch I2I-I22, as-illustrated, and the pins I53 beingon and depressingthe" contacts 99, a current flow is also accordingly established throughthese contacts through the wire I54 and thence,

through thewire I55, to the magnet II2, which moves its armature I42 tothe lowered position,

as shown, whereby the switch II3-II4 is disconnected. The current alsofiows on up to the;

armature II5, but on account of the fact that the wire I56, leading fromthis armature, terminates at the open switch point 83, no action resultshere at thistime. The current also goes on to the armature 98 and thencethrough the wire I51 to the signal light I23 and/or the inc-- tor I24.

In the position of the element 81-96 "shown, depression of the armature95 closes the switch 93--9I, the contact point 91 being connected bymeans of a wire I63 to the wire I54, which branches to the main switchcontact/I22 on the one hand and to the .ball contacts 22 and 24 on theother hand, also to the pin switch contacts 99 and the.alternatelyoperated switch contact However, owing to the fact that the switchII6Il| is open at this time, no action results from the closing of thecontacts 93 91.

The branch wire I58 leading to the switch point which accomplish thisalternate opening and closing being best shown at the right in Figure 1.Some of the essential parts are also fllustrated in Figure 10.

When the bowling operation begins, it may be assumed that some of thepins I53 are knocked down upon the rolling of the first ball I59 whichis then returned to the bowler, and in its progress along the returnrails, passes over .the contact point. 22 closing this connection asshown in Figure 10. The wire I64 leads from thisswitch 22 up to themagnet 20 and thence through a wire I65 down to the corresponding branchof the main line I50. The other side of the switch leads through a wireI66 and I6! to the switch I'I3 which, because of the fact that the pinsremain on the points 99, is still open.. Also another branch I68 of thewire leads to the switch contact II'I which'is also open. Hence, noaction results from the contact of the ball I59 with the switch 22 ifany pins I53 are left standing on the area. The ball, however, on itsfurther progress down the return rail; closes the switch 24 which isalso connected to the same wire I64 leading to the magnet 20 and thenceback to themain line. The other side of this I switch 24 is connectedwith the wire I54 which runs upthrough the closed switch I 2I-I22 andopened so that if the bowler does succeed in knocking down the remainingpins'on the next shot, his return ball will not operate the pawl I8-through the closing of the switch 22, but-the closing of the switch 24will operate in the same manner as before.

However, should the bowler at thisor any other time, make what is knownas a strike,

namely the knocking down of all the pins upon the rolling of one ball,the contacts 99 will be opened,- thereby releasingthe solenoid of theing the wheel it through the distance of two notches whenever. a strikeis made. In the meantime, of course, the preceding operation of themagnet 20 and the pawl It with associated parts will close the switchms-ms. In other words, the switch Hit-I08 must be always closed at thebeginning of each so-called "frame". This is to assure against an extraoperation of the switch 22 when the pins have been knocked down on thesecond shot, making what is known as a spare", thereby closing theswitch lit-H6 and whichconnectionwould normally again operate the magnet20 if it were not for the fact that the switch lit-4M was openat thattime.

At the beginning of the tenth frame, there are several possibilitieswhich may occur.- The bowler may knockvdownall the pins with his firstball,-in which event'he is entitled to two more shots, or he may makewhat is known as a spare on his second bail, thereby entitling him toone extra shot. .It is here that the pawl I8 comes into play, but thisdoes not occur until after the last ball on the ninth frame has beenrolled'and returned, and passes over the contact 2i, Movement of thesector 28 due to contact of the projection 82 with .the element 24caused by the operation of the pawl i8 following aforesaid closing ofthe switch 24 which preliminarily separates the contacts WG-42?andbecause of the operation of the pawl It, will then cause the pawl F8to ride part way out of the particular I notch II in which it may besituated at the time depending upon the number of the players, and

this outward movement closes the switch 82-84, and at the same timeoperates to force the jointed'lever 88-81-98 inwardly. This is the firstoperation. due to the return of the first ball of the last frame for acorresponding number of players depending upon the number of players whostarted. Opening of the switch fli -I21 will eliminate any furthercurrent-carrying operations of the intermittent switch flit-4Mregardless of its physical position from that time I on and will alsoeliminate any electrical operation of the wires connected to the switchpoints 8 and H4 regardless of the physical position of the armature I52.

Current flowing through the wire I58 from the main line IN) to theswitch point 86 will then pass to the wire {56 through the solenoid H5operating its armature i it and closing a switch i ii. Current flowsfrom the solenoid i it through the wire We to thepin contacts, and ifthese [are closed, back to the main line. However, this positioning doesnot occur until after the rolling and return of the first ball in thelast frame because the contact 32 moves the element 36-38upwardly'through the distance of one notch .in

the wheel it before contact is made with the sector 26. vIn this manner,the switch l26-i27 is opened by the last mu of the ninth frame, and theclosing of the switch 88-83 does not take place until after'the returnof the first ball in the tenth frame. If the pins are not all knockeddown upon the rolling of the first ball in the last frame, the return ofthe ball when passing ovrtheswitch 22 will not operate the pawl it. Whenthe switch H1 is closed-due to the presence of pins on the alley andafter operation of the-switch 2t by the first hall the the pinscompletely.

a,11s,sos. J

l'ast frama'a connection will 'bemade through the wire I66 to the firstball contact switch 22, and thence by wayof the wire itd to the solenoid20 and the wire l65.bac k to the main line. On the other side, current.will flow through the switch 93-41 through the wire I63 back through vthe switch i2il22 to the main line. i of course, will operate thesolenoid 20 when the This,

ball contacts the first switch 22, and obviously the second ball switchwill always be operated This, occurs if neither astrike nor a spare ismade in the last frame, whereupon these two movements of the controlwheel H4 willbring it back to its original position opening the switchl2i-l22 which thereupon shuts off the mo- Closing of the switch 24,however, will operate the pawl 18 moving the sector 28 through afurtherdistance and causing the element 82 to force the jointed lever 86-46beneath the extension of the switch contact 93, thereby holding theswitch 93-91 openregardless of the position of the armature 96. Thiseliminates operation of the switch 22 before the return of the followingtwo balls or the remainder of that frame.

. In the event that the player makes a spare, namely, knocking down partof the pins on the first ball and the remainder'on the'seoondball, "thecontacts 98 are closed for the first ball, thereby, on the second ballopening the switchii'l and-also opening the switch 33-", the contact 22being broken, nothing ppensat this point, but on closing of the swi 24.the ele- 93 on the first ball, and the pins being knocked ofi in makinga spare, breaks the circuit "-11, permitting the element 08 to ridebeneath the projection of the contact a, thereby holding the circuitopen, permitting the playof one more ball.

Itwillbeseenthsthereinisprovideds posi-- tive coin control for bowlingalleys which will automatically take care of the needs of any num-" berof players from one to five upon the insertion of the correspondingnumber of coins into the device and which will operate pomtiveiy andcorrectly regardless of the variations in play caused by the luck orskill of the players and-the corresponding rules'oi' the game applicableto manner in handling the exigencies of play which may occur toward theend of each playerfs frame constitutes another important feature as theapparatus automatically provides for a required or necessary number ofballs to complete the play of each and every individual user m rdless ofwhether he makes strikes, spares or even misses 'The apparatus will alsoproperly take care of the play of any number of players from one to fiveregardless of whether or not they observe a predetermined sequence inrolling'their balls. against the pin. with slight mdifications andvariations, this coincontrol an attendant countins mechanism maybeapment' 9% rests against the end of the projection direction upon theinsertion of a coin into the plied to operations and games other thanbowling and is particularly applicable whenever an automatic control isrequired for a variable or varying number of operations which cannot bepredetermined in advance, but which by their own.

variations cause themachine to assume and control certain situations asthey arise.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details ofconstruction varied throughout a wide range without departing from theprinciples of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limitingthe patent granted herein otherwise than as necessitated by the priorart.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a bowling alley, having the usual pins;

pin-spots, balls and return gulley, electrical contacts forming part ofthe pin spots on the alley. and controlled by the pins, electricalcontacts in the gulley controlled by the balls as they return throughthe gulley, means for automatically indicating the stopping of the playat the end often frames for each player regardless of the number ofballs used in said frames, said means including a notched control wheeland an electrical circuit, coin-controlled means for preliminarilymoving the wheel a predetermined distance in a clockwise direction andclosing the circuit, and electrical connections, between the wheel andpin spots, said connections including magnets and associated pawls foroperating the toothed wheel. 2. In a bowling alley, having-the usualpins, pin-spots, balls and return gulley, electrical contacts formingpart of the pin spots in the alley, further electrical contacts on thegulley controlled by the balls returning through the gulley,

means for automatically indicating the stoppingof the play at the end often frames for each player regardless of the number of balls used insaid frames, said means including toothed control wheels and anelectrical circuit, release, coin-controlled means for preliminarilymoving at least one of the control wheels a predetermined distance in aclockwise direction and closing thecircuit, means for allowingthe'wheels to'move in one direction, magnets for the release means, andcontact elements in the coin control connected to the magnets.

3. In a bowling alley, having the usual pins, pin-spots, balls andreturn gulley, electrical contacts forming partof the pin spots in thealley,

further electrical contacts onthe gulley controlled by the ballsreturning through the gulley, means for automatically indicating thestopping of the play at the end of ten frames for each player regardlessof the number of balls used in.

said frames, said means including toothed control wheels and anelectrical circuit, release, coincontrolled means for preliminarilymovingatleast one of the control wheels a predetermined distance in aclockwise direction and closing the circuit, means for allowing thewheels to move in one direction, magnets for the release means, and Idevice, and closing the circuit and contact plates forming part of thepin spots in the alley, a return'gulley for, the balls, ball-operatedswitches in the return gulleys, magnets and pawls assoe ciated with thetoothed device for forward release and rearward operation of same,andelectrical connections between the contact plates, return gulleys andmagnets.

5. In a coin-operated bowling alley, having the usual pins and balls,metallic spots for the pins and a return gulley for the balls, a pair ofelectrical contacts in the return gulley, controlled by the balls asthey return through the gulley means for indicating stopping of play atthe end,

of ten frames for each player regardless of the number of balls used inthe frames, said means including a notched control wheel and anelectrical circuit, coin-controlled means for moving the notched wheel apredetermined distance in a clockwise direction upon the insertion of asingle coin into the device, and at the same time, closing the circuit,and means for moving the control wheel further predetermined distancesupon the insertion of additional coins, the circuit remaining closedmeans for feeding the wheel a step at a time in a counter-clockwisedirection upon the return of each ball rolled, and means for moving thewheel two notches upon the return of a ball whenever a play occurs whicheliminates the necessity of rolling a second. ball to complete a frame,said means including a magnet and pawl associated with the wheel/and ithe end of ten frames for eachplayer regardless of the number of ballsused in the frames, said means including a notched control wheel,coincontrolled means for preliminarily moving the notched wheel apredetermined distance in a clockwise direction and closing the circuit,means for feeding the wheel a step at a time in a counter-clockwisedirection upon' the return of each ball rolled, and means for moving thewheel two notches upon the return of a ball whenever a play occurs whicheliminates the necessity of rolling a second ball to complete a frame,said means including a magnet and pawl associated with the wheel andelectricalconnectlons between the pin spots and the switches in the ballreturn gulleys.

7. In a coin-operated device for bowling alleys having the usual pins,pin spots, balls and return gulley, means for indicating the stopping ofplay at the end of ten frames for each player regardless of the numberof balls used in a frame,

. said means including a notched control wheel and an electricalcircuit, means for preliminarily, moving the wheel a predetermineddistance in a clockwise direction upon the insertion of a coin into thedevice, contact means associated with each pin on the alley, furthercontact means in the ball return gulley, and magnet-operated pawlselectrically connected with said contact means for feeding the wheel ina counter-clockwise direction upon the return of each ball together withan auxiliary alternately operated switch operated in conjunction withthe magnet and pawl and connected to the switches in the return gulleyfor controlling extra ball operation.

or play at the end of tenframes for each player regardless of the numberof balls used in a frame,

said means including a notched control wheel and an electrical circuit,means for preliminarilymoving the wheel a predetermined distance in aclockwise direction upon the insertion of a coin into the device,contact means associated with each pin on the alley, further contactmeans in the ball return gulley, and magnet-operated pawls electricallyconnected with said contact means for feeding the wheel in acounter-clockwise vdirection upon the return of each ball, an

- auxiliary alternately operated switch operated in conjunction with themagnet and pawl and connected to the switches in the return gulley forcontrolling extra ball operation, and means for preliminarily settingsaidswitch into a predetermined position immediately after the inser-ztion or a coin into the device. I

9. In a coin-operated device for bowling alleys having the usual pins,pin spots, balls and return gulley, means for indicating the stopping ofplay at the end of ten frames for each player regardless of the numberoi balls used in a frame, said means including a notched control wheeland an electrical circuit, means for preliminarily moving the wheel apredetermined distance in a clockwise direction upon the insertion ,of acoin into the device, said means including a switch associated with andoperated by the coininlet, a magnet and pawls for releasing the wheelfor clockwise motion, electrical connections between said magnet and thecoin-controlled switch, electrical contact means associated with eachpin on the alley, further contact means in the ball return gulley. andmagnet-operated pawls electrically connected withsaid contact means forfeeding the wheel in a counter-clockwise direction upon the return ofeach ball, an auxiliary alternately operated switch operated inconjunction with the magnet and pawl and connected to the switches inthe return gulley for controlling extra ball operation, and means torpreliminarily setting said switch into a predetermined positionimmediately after the insertion oiia coin into the device. v

10. In a coin-operated bowling alley control,

"means for indicating the stopping of play. at the end of ten frames foreach player regardless of l -the number or ballsused in a frame, saidmeans including anotched control wheel, electrical contact meansassociated with each pin on the alley together with ffurther electricalcontact means in the ball return gulley. and magnet-operated pawls Ielectrically connected with said contactmeans for feeding the wheel in acounter-clock wise directionupon the return of each ball, an

auxiliary alternately operated switch operated in conjunction with themagnet and pawl and connected to, the switches in the return gulley forcontrolling extra ball operation, means-for preliminarily settingsaidswitoh into a predetermined position after the insertion of acoin-into the device, a further switch associated with and operated bythe coin inlet, a

magnet and pawls for releasing the wheel for clockwisemotion,"electrical connections between said magnet and the coin-controlswitch, a main switch, and means for automatically closing the mainswitch upon the first clockwise movement of the control whwl.

anaeos 11. In a bowling alley having the usual pins, pin-spots, ballsand return gulley, means for indicating the stopping of play at the endof ten frames for each player regardless of the number '0! balls used ina frame, said means including a notched control wheel and an electricalcircuit.

coin-controlled means for preliminarily moving the wheel a.predetermined distance in a clockwise direction upon the insertion of acoin, electrical contact means associated with each pin I I on thealley, further contact means in the ball return gulley controlled, bythe balls as they return through the gulley. and magnet-operated 'pawlselectrically connected with said contact means for feeding the wheel ina counter-clockwise direction upon the returnof each ball together withan auxiliary alternately operated switch operated in conjunction withthe magnet and pawl and connected to the switches in the return gulleyfor controlling extra ball operation, means for preliminarily settingsaid switch into a predetermined position immediately after theinsertion of a coin, a switch associated with and operated by the coininlet, a magnet and pawls last playing ball down the return gulley.

12. In a bowling alley having the usual pins, pin spots, balls andreturn gulley, coin-controlled means associated with the alley forautomatically indicating the number of balls to be used according tothe' play, said means including a toothedv wheel, and means forpreliminarily set-' ting the wheel according to the number oi players,said means including a coin-operated switch;

a magnet electrically connected to the switch, and a set of releasepawls and ratchet wheels operated by the magnet and operativelyassociated with the periphery oi the toothed wheel, together with asegmental wheel rotatably mounted for operativeassociation with thetoothed wheel, and electrical switch opening and closing means on thesegmental wheeL'and two sets of auxiliary control teeth in saidsegmental wheel, one set of control teeth being larger than the others,and a pawl operatively associated with said larger teeth, and meansforreleasing the sector for movement over the pawl audits interfitting intoa corresponding space between the teeth on the insertion of'each coininto the machine.

13. In a bowling alley having the usual pins, pin

spots, balls and return gulley, coin-controlled means associated withthe alley for automatically indicating the number of balls to be usedaccording to the-play, said means including a toothed wheel, and meansfor preliminarily setting the wheelfaccording to the number of players,said means including a coin-operated switch, a magnet electricallyconnected to the switch, and a set of. release pawls and ratchet wheelsoperated by the magnet and operatively associated with the periphery ofthe toothed wheel, together with a segmental wheel rotatably mounted foroperative association with the toothed wheel, and electrical switchopening and closing means on the segmental wheel. and two setsofauxiliary control teeth in said segmental wheel, one set oi controlteeth being larger than the others, and

a pawl operatively associated with said larger teeth, and means forreleasing the sector for movement over the pawl and its interfittinginto a corresponding space between the teeth on the insertion of eachcoin into the machine, and switch means for regulating the play of extraballs associated with the pawl.

'14, In -a bowling alley having theusual pins, pin spots, balls andreturn gulley, coin-controlled means associated with the alley forautomatically indicating the number of balls to be used according to theplay, said means including a toothed wheel, and means for preliminarilysetting the wheel according to the number of.players, said meansincluding a coin-operated switch, a magnet electrically connected to theswitch, and a set of. release pawls and ratchet wheels operatedby themagnet and operatively associated with the periphery of the toothedwheel, together with a segmeans associated with the ,alley forautomatically. indicating the number of balls to be used according tothe play, said means including a toothed wheel, and means forpreliminarily setting the wheel according to the number of players, saidmeans including a coin-operated switch, a magnet electrically connectedto the switch, and a set of release pawls and ratchet wheels operated bythe magnet and operativ'ely associated with the periphery of the toothedwheel, together with a segmental wheel rotatably mounted for operativeassociation with the toothed wheel, the segmental wheel being in a planeparallel to the plane of the toothed wheel but freely rotatablerelatively thereto, and means for rotating the segmental wheelconcurrently with the toothed wheel beginning with the playing of thetenth frame, to-

gether with current-carrying switches on the segmental wheel, andmechanical means for automatically opening andclosing said switches uponmovement of the segmental wheel into a predetermined position.

16. In a bowling alley having the usual pins, pin spots, balls andreturn gulley. coin-controlled means associated with the alley for,automatically indicating the number of balls to be used according to theplay, said means including a toothed -wheel, and means for preliminarilysetting the wheel according to the number oi players, said meansincluding a coin-operated switch, a magnet electrically connected to theswitch, and a set of release pawls and ratchet wheels operated bythemagnet and operatively associated with the periphery of the toothedwheel, together with a segmental wheel rotatably mounted for operativeassociation with the toothed wheel, the segmental wheel being ina planeparallel tothe plane of. the toothed wheel but freely rotatablerelatively thereto, and means for rotating the segmental wheelconcurrently with the toothed, wheel beginning with the playing of thetenth v 9 frame, together with current-carrying switches on thesegmental wheel, and mechanical means for automatically opening .andclosing sfiiid ,switches'upon movement of the segmental wheel into apredetermined position, and control magnets connected with the switchcontacts on said segmental wheel.

1'7. In a bowling alley having the usual'pins, pin spots, balls andreturn gulley,.coin-controlled means associated with the alley forautomatically indicating the number of balls to be used according to theplay, said means including a toothed wheel, and means for preliminarilyset-.

ting the wheel according to-the number of players, said means includinga coin-operated switch, a magnet electrically connected to the switch,and a set of release pawls and ratchet wheels operated by the magnet andoperatively associated with the periphery of the toothed wheel, togetherwith a segmental wheel rotatably mounted for operative association withthe toothed wheel, the segmental wheel being in a plane. parallel to theplane of the toothed wheel but freely rotatable relatively thereto, andmeans for rotating the segmental wheel concurrently with the toothedwheel beginning with the playing of the tenth frame, together withcurrentcarrying switches on the segmental wheel, and

mechanical means for automatically opening and closing said switchesupon movement of the segmental wheel into a predetermined position, and

, control magnets connected with the switch-contacts on said segmentalwheel, electrical contact means for the pins on the alley, and current--carrying connections between the switches on the segmental wheel and thepin contact means.

18. In a bowling alley having the usual pins, pin spots, balls andreturn g'ulley, coin-controlled means associated 'with the alley forautomatically indicating the number of balls to be used according to theplay, said means including a toothed wheel, and means for preliminarilysetting the wheel according to the number of players,

said means including a coin-operated switch,a magnet electricallyconnected-to the switch, and a set of release pawls and ratchet wheelsoperated by the magnet and operatively associated with the periphery ofthe toothed wheel, together with a segmental wheel rotatably mounted foroperative association with the toothed wheel. the segmental wheel beingin a plane parallel to the plane of the toothed wheel but freelyrotatable relatively thereto, and means for rotating the segmental wheelconcurrently with the toothed wheel beginning with the playing of thetenth frame, together with current-carrying switches on the segmentalwheel, and mechanical means for automatically opening and closing saidswitches upon movement of the segmental wheel into a predeterminedposition, and control magnets connected with the switch contacts on saidsegmental wheel, electrical contact means for the pins on the alley, andcurrent-carrying connections between the switches on'the segmental wheeland the pin contact means, together withfurther electrical switches inthe ball-return gulleys, and connections between said switches and theswitches carried on and operated bythe segmental wheel. LOUIS I".

